Selectmen ask public for help with planning

By CINDY DOW

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southcoasttoday.com

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Posted Jan. 10, 2013 at 10:37 AM

Posted Jan. 10, 2013 at 10:37 AM

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By CINDY DOW

Associate Editor

LAKEVILLE — The Board of Selectmen met with Southeast Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) representative Sandy Conaty to discuss updating the town's South Coast Rail Priority Development (PDA) and Priority Protection area (PPA) designations, as well as how to prepare for the next step in the expedited permitting program for the former Lakeville Hospital property. The selectmen are hoping for community involvement with both projects.

Ms. Conaty explained that the South Coast Rail plan designating both the priority development and priority protection areas was completed in 2008, and is ready for a five-year update.

"As you know, over the course of five years there can be changes, especially in a municipality," she said. "Those changes may affect your priorities. So, here's a chance to go back, review them, make any updates that you see fit."

Ms. Conaty noted that the state liked the planning process that was used for the South Coast Rail priority areas so much that it has used it in other projects since 2008. The state has tracked expenditures over a three-year period from 2009 to 2011, and mapped the investment commitments that were made in relation to the priority areas.

"We see this planning process as a great help in implementing your master plan, your open space and recreation plan, as well as your housing production plan," she said.

Ms. Conaty noted that while the planning took several workshops in 2008, because this is an update she anticipates that it could take just one workshop. A date will be set for the workshop, which the selectmen hope will be attended by town officials as well as interested residents. The 2008 document is available to review online at srpedd.org under the South Coast Rail tab prior to the workshop.

One area of the plan that Town Administrator Rita Garbitt noted will have to change involves the former Lakeville Hospital property, which has since been designated for expedited permitting under the state's 43D laws. The town has 120 days from when the town accepts the program to complete five tasks to smooth the permitting process — Lakeville's deadline is Feb. 26. The five tasks include appointing a single person to serve as the liaison for all issues relating to Chapter 43D, amend the rules and regulations to conform to the law, and collect the regulations and procedures relating to each permit. Ms. Conaty suggested that a design review committee be established to meet with the developer prior to submission of a project.

"When an application is submitted to the town, or prior even to an application, basically if a developer has an idea for a project they would come in and work with this board to identify which permits would be required for the project that they are presenting. The developer would take that information and basically go back and fill out, do all of their engineering, design work, that they would be required for those permits," she said, suggesting that any red flags the applicant needs to consider could be noted before the proposal is submitted.

After meeting with the design review board, or project review board, the applicant would put all of the required information into one large application that will include all of the permits he is required to apply for.

"It just gets everybody on the same page up front," said Chairman of Selectmen Derek Maksy. "So, it's not go here first, then go here."

Mr. Maksy said he believes all of the boards that will be involved need to be included at the beginning, because the town only has 180 days from the day the proposal is submitted to take action, or have the project win unconstructed approval if action is not taken within that time. Ms. Conaty said that any state permitting required will be done as separate processes unrelated to the town's responsibilities.

The expedited permitting process has only been approved for one site in town: the former Lakeville Hospital property.

Mr. Maksy said he would like to see a couple of at-large members from the community be appointed to the project review board. Residents interested in being considered for appointment to the board should submit letters of interest to the Board of Selectmen by Jan. 24.